In 1896, tax collection in Somerset County became the duty of the Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners (Chapter 318, Acts of 1896). The Clerk was appointed by the Board to serve a two-year term. From 1913, the County Treasurer was elected by voters to a four-year term (Chapter 10, Acts of 1910). In 1922, elections were transitioned to even-numbered years, with the Treasurer being elected thereafter in 1926 (Maryland Constitution, Article 17; Chapter 227, Acts of 1922).
The Treasurer conducted and certified assessments, collected taxes, and conducted tax sales. The Treasurer deposited and distributed collected taxes, and recorded uncollected bills (County Code, secs. 7-101 through 7-303).
Although the office of Treasurer was abolished effective October 1, 2013, provision was made for the incumbent to serve out his term until December 2, 2014 (Chapter 194, Acts of 2013).
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